Applications for Irish passports from people based in Britain are up by 70% this year, Ireland's ambassador to the UK has said.

Dan Mulhall added applications for Irish citizenship through grandparents had also increased "quite dramatically" amidst a surge in applications after Brexit.

People born in Northern Ireland have an automatic right to Irish citizenship, while British people with an Irish parent, or in certain circumstances an Irish grandparent, also have an automatic right to become Irish citizens.

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The UK's Irish ambassador, who is due to leave his post to become the Irish ambassador to the US, also told Today a border poll on a united Ireland could be "something that will arise at some time in the future".

"Brexit complicates the situation for everyone in Ireland," he said.

"We would prefer if Britain were to remain in the European Union, that would be the most straightforward way of maintaining the good situation we have with Northern Ireland."

Mr Mulhall also said talks over the border in Ireland were "in a good position" given the recognition on all sides to maintain a soft border after Brexit.